The Caravanserai was the most important public buildingsin Tbilisi in the first half of the 19c. While planning in the authorities had in mind.: " to erect a building, which would have a theatre inside, and all around the theatre-ample space for shops". The foundations were laid in Erivan Square (Independent Square) on April 27 1847. On the whole the building was opened on April 24, of 1850. A public fancy-dress ball, held on the same day, inaugurated the theatre's first season. The Caravanserai was a four-storied, rectangular building, approximately 78 X 44 m. The hall with the stage were also of rectangular form: length 36m, width 23,4m. It was the first specially designed (1846) theatre building in Georgia, Architect J. Skudieri (1817-1851). Architectural motifs of Basilica in Vincence (architect Palladio) were incorporated into the facades of the  building. G. G. Gagarin (1810-1893), a famous Russian painter, drew thedrafts for the theatre's hall interior decoration. The hall accommodated 700 spectators. On September 23, 1874 the building was destroyed by fire. It was restored in 1879 minus the theatre to do duty far a trading center of "passage" type. In 1930 in connection with reconstruction work in Independent Square the Caravanserai was pulled down.